New/Old member-needs help please

[DizzyRe]

Hi all, I joined the ECF back in 2013. Thank you to all who have helped me with so much good information, you have saved me many headaches. Well, I've been analog free since May 11, 2013, woohoo, coming up on my 3rd full year. I used to be a 2 1/2 pack a day smoker, for 30+ yrs, when I decided I'd follow my husbands advice (a ex smoker, just quit when I met him back at the end of 1988), & try vaping. He brought home a plain ego kit, ya know, the ones you can't even adjust, lol, & a full flavored tobacco flavor that I shockingly enjoyed. Long story short, I vaped when I would usually always has a cig, after meals, on the phone, driving etc.. & within 3 weeks I was totally off analogs. I'm sure you've heard this story many of times. Lol
Most recently I've been noticing my ejuice that I buy locally, has been smelling more & more each month like alcohol. I've brought it to their attention, but of course I get the same old "we've made no changes". Okay, here's my problem & it's a big one. I started to notice rashes develop over the last 6 months, I do has a slight PG allergy & my ejuice supplier is well aware of this, plus they have always been a 100% VG based store, besides flavor of course. They charge extra for VG/PG mix. So Yes, very thick ejuice, or used to be any who!
Here I am today with not only rashes, but small open areas all over my upper body. I also have raised big lumps on my scalp & arms, like a allergic reaction. I've been to my primary 2x's, dermatologist x'2, & none can figure out what's going on. Have been on so many different meds/steroid creams, but nothing was working. I've unfortunately have had to stop using my favorite flavor from my local vapor store & my symptoms have subsided. Prior to stopping the use of my all time favorite juice, I did a alcohol test after vaping. This kit was for a BAC of 0.05%, & it was positive, with notta doubt. Now, I did buy some organic VG ejuice base at 6mgs, so I thought I'd give this a try with a flavoring I bought from same vendor. This test came back a clear negative. ***** question for all you pro's on the subject***** Are these type of OTC BAC tests accurate? Also, is there any other types of tests that can provide me with how much alcohol is in my juice?
I know ejuice subject is a huge debate right now & my ejuice local provider is a State of NY rep, fighting for our rights & his staff have informed me NYS wants to tax .80 a ml, which is crazy. I truly hope our vendors aren't trying to cash in as quickly as they can, & giving their customers alcohol poisoning.
Any, informative advice would be very very much appreciated.
Rhea

 

[dcfluegel]

howdy! and welcome back!

not sure about the BAC tests, but the juice vendor thing sounds like they are maybe rushing production - a lot of flavorings contain alcohol and cap off steeping will allow majority of that to evaporate... really looks like it may be time to take a look at DIY - several nic vendors offer 100% vg based nic and so do some flavor vendors, though that is more challenging

 

[bacc.vap]

Hello, I don't really have a good answer for you, but my guess would be something probably did change with the ingredients and your supplier might not know, it's happened before. As far as the alcohol tests go, not really sure how accurate they are or how they work really, but wouldn't be surprised if they pick up some amount of alcohol from any PG or VG, as they are both forms of alcohol themselves. It is possible you're getting fresher liquid that hasn't had time for some of the stronger alcohol to dissipate though.

 

[subwayaznm]

I would for sure try another vendor and one that boast a natural line high but not total VG Based e Liquids and see how your body reacts to them. Best wishes you sure don't need to be sick trying to save your self from being sick smoking.

 

[DizzyRe]

Very true, & thank you both so very much. I have been educating myself on DIY, have come up with a few very good flavors for my daughter.
I do know there is some alcohol in flavorings, but I'm also skilled in coil builds, which I love to do when I have the time. Also currently was using the unwell Crown, the Herk plus, & the cyclone, oh Arctic v8, for my on the road tanks. So all coils/temps should be hot enough to burn off any alcohol, at least from what I've read. Also using DNA200's mod, Reuleaux/Jaybo, vapor sharks DNA40 & 200, Sigelei 150, etc. really into vaping & educating myself. This forum has been so helpful to me & others I've referred to. I see posts about alcohol content was pretty much dropped awhile back, but was interested to know more about it as it has caused me to go threw such a nightmare. I'd never think for a moment that my local vape store would do anything out from what they advertise & it's very upsetting as I purchase at least 4-5 50ml bottles every 2 weeks, just for my personal use, well, for almost 3 years now. So, maybe it is time for me to drop my favorite flavor :-( & come up with some new favorites on my own. Lol guess anything is possible.
Thank you for taking the time to read my post, the welcoming, & to anyone else that would be able to give me a clue.
Rhea

 

[BrotherBob]

Could read:
Why should e-liquid be PG-free?

 

[DizzyRe]

Thank you BrotherBob, good article! Actually I started vaping at a very high nic dosage of 36, cut down to 24 mgs very quickly, & worked my way down now to 6 mg. Also about a year ago, I cut back my Diet Coke intake & now drink lemon vit water. I still have maybe 2 cans of pop as I haven't been able to drink coffee since I had my 3rd daughter who's now 25, eek, feeling old, lol. But after I had her even 1 sip of coffee gives me a serious migraine headache. I'm 3rd generation of migraine headaches sufferers & started with them at a very young age. Thank goodness for the current treatments available to stop them before they devistate the next few days after a bad one. We now call them the "M" word in our family, as even saying that word makes my stomach turn.
I've alway target the VG & advise my sensitivity to PG, as I try & have as lil as possible. I often wondered if someone could develop an allergy to VG ejuices & I guess with nicotine involved, it's very possible. My symptoms have improved since I cut out the one from my local vape store. I could tell over last 6 months I could smell more & more alcohol in this particular tobacco flavor, not so much with the other flavors. I also noticed that the ejuice doesn't separate like it used to. I actually learned from them that this happens as the VG is much heavier then the flavoring added. But all said & done after taking the alcohol BAC test, it showed a certain positive. Besides the medical concerns, I also wondered if I was ever pulled over & was asked to take a breathalyzer test, would I be arrested for having a BAC of any amount as I also hold a CDL license w zero tolerance in NY State. Basically, was looking to see if there was any clear cut answer on BAC testing, and/or if there was any other way of telling if alcohol was indeed present in my ejuice & to what extent.
Thank you for taking the time to read & respond. I am truly grateful for all the wonderful, well educated people on this forum.
Rhea